Ever since I joined my company I’ve been keen to land a role that takes me abroad. One regret I’ve always had is that I didn’t take the opportunity to travel right after I graduated, instead I went straight into the working environment and the rest is history. Of course you can go on holidays etc but it’s not the same, visiting a country and living in one is a completely different experience. I was envious hearing about the travels of some of my friends and colleagues who took the time to explore before settling down, sounded like a bit of me. Was almost beginning to give up on the idea until my boss made me aware of a couple short term assignments arising in various sites. Long story short we settled on Athens, Greece and that’s where I blog as we speak. It’s funny because certain people actually think I was forced to leave to country lol, am I an illegal immigrant? I have my papers bro, I didn’t have to swim here. Certain guys don’t even have passports so their only experience of other countries is via their local takeaways; I just refuse to live my life being that guy.
First things first to all the Greeks out there… we just gonna ignore Athens’ graffiti problem right lol? I’m happy to turn a blind eye but you lot must know that people are out here taking your city for a colouring book; looking like Paul Pogba’s trim. That kinda rattled me but I won’t bring it up again if you don’t. Apparently loads of places in Continental Europe have a similar graffiti problem but maybe that’s slipped my mind. Anyways, aside from that I’m so shocked how accommodating everybody has been! Albeit I’m still in the early stages but I’ve managed to waltz into a country with no grasp of the language or the culture and settle down like I owned the place. Imagine going to your local Asda’s and asking where the bakery section is in Greek; the sales assistance will have no time for you. I will try to indulge myself in the culture but in the meantime it’s more British ignorance from me.
Naturally when you decide to settle within another area you need to be privy to your surroundings, know the places where and where not to go. I did loads of research prior to arriving in Athens and there was one area which kept popping up as a no-go, even Google maps refused to navigate me there. Don’t even wanna mention the place on here just encase some of the locals take offence and catch me slipping outside my apartment. I don’t think I could name a place in London where I’d categorically tell a man to not visit… actually Lewisham… don’t go there lol, you’ll have a cardiac arrest just from that huge ass roundabout let alone the people. Regardless of that though, I’m yet to feel any signs of danger and I’m sure it’ll remain that way. Everybody is so chilled, I never thought I’d find a collective group of laid-back people like I have in Athens.
First things first to all the Greeks out there… we just gonna ignore Athens’ graffiti problem right lol? I’m happy to turn a blind eye but you lot must know that people are out here taking your city for a colouring book; looking like Paul Pogba’s trim.
I want to write frequent updates documenting my time here so I want to write frequent updates documenting my time here so expect a couple follow ups coming your way. I’m sure blogging in the Greek sunshine will improve my productivity too. Only time I felt hot in London was on those Central Lines commutes on the Underground transport; temperature will go from London to Tel Aviv real quick. Bank Station only has one setting. Regardless, as a final point, during my stay I wanna get out my shell and try new things; as a self-proclaimed introvert this is better said than done but you gotta make a start somewhere. I’ve always admired people who’ve come from another country and have managed to integrate so now the shoes on the other foot, I’ll see how well I embark on this challenge.
Part 2: https://joeoriade.com/2018/04/21/my-big-fat-greek-adventure-part-ii/
Part 3: https://joeoriade.com/2018/08/11/my-big-fat-greek-adventure-part-iii/
Joe
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